The third Tour match between the British & Irish Lions and the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria has been postponed as several members of the South African team tested positive for COVID-19, a statement said on Tuesday.
Lions Rugby said organisers will to reschedule the game and find an alternative opponent for the Lions on Saturday, while South Africa’s warm-up test against Georgia, set to be played in Johannesburg on Friday, is under review and is likely to be called off after positive test were found in both camps as a third wave of coronavirus cases engulfs the country.
“Four Bulls players and one member of management returned positive tests which, in combination with their close contacts, made it impossible for them to field a team, according to Series safety protocols,” the statement read.
Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby added: “These positive results are a setback and have underlined the danger of transmissibility of the delta variant.
“The Springboks’ second Test against Georgia is now in serious doubt, but we will wait for the MAG to consider the data and we will make the final decision tomorrow. The priority is to maintain the integrity of the Test series and we will continue to focus on that.”
The Lions’ second tour match against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Wednesday, however, is still going ahead.